1968 Ford Mustang
pony car · Federal safety regulations added side marker lights and shou... · Bullitt year — Steve McQueen made this Mustang immortal
Highly Collectible
Production & Overview
Total Production
317,404
Original MSRP
N/A
Assembly Plants
Dearborn, MI · San Jose, CA · Metuchen, NJ
Wheelbase
108 inches
Body Styles
Hardtop · Fastback · Convertible
Curb Weight
2,798 lbs
Notable Packages & Production
428 Cobra Jet — 428CJ
Most desirable non-Shelby engine — introduced April 1968
2.5-4x base
2,253
produced
California Special — GT/CS
Regional styling package — unique side scoops and rear treatment
1.5-2x base
4,118
produced
Shelby GT500KR — GT500KR
King of the Road — 428 Cobra Jet Shelby
6-9x base
1,570
produced
Available Engines
T 200ci — inline-6
Base six — detuned from 1967
115 hp
C 289ci — V8
Base V8 — final year for 289 in Mustang
195 hp
F 302ci — V8
New 302 Windsor replaced 289 mid-year
210 hp
S 390ci — V8
GT big block — Bullitt car used this engine
325 hp
W 427ci — V8
Rare mid-year option — extremely rare in Mustang
390 hp
R 428ci — V8
Cobra Jet — introduced April 1968. Underrated from factory. Most powerful production Mustang to date.
335 hp
Buyer Checklist
⚠ Clone warning: 428 Cobra Jet matching numbers critical — enormous value difference. Shelby matching numbers essential.. Always verify with cowl tag, engine stamp, and registry before purchase.
Pull Marti Report — critical for Cobra Jet and Shelby authentication
Verify engine code for 428 CJ — confirm R-code VIN
Check door data plate for original Highland Green (Bullitt clone risk is high)
Inspect floor pans — front and rear rust common
Torque box inspection at rear floor pan junction
Cowl rust check under windshield
California Special — verify GT/CS data plate and unique body parts
Shelby — verify Shelby serial number and SAAC/KR registry
Confirm side marker lights present — required by law for 1968
Check lower rear quarters and door bottoms for rust
Known Problem Areas
Bullitt Highland Green clones — extremely common, check Marti Report
Floor pan and torque box rust
Clone 428 CJ — 390 engines swapped to appear as Cobra Jets
Cowl rust
Clone GT500KR — regular Shelbys converted
What Drives Value
↑ Increases Value
428 Cobra Jet matching numbers
GT500KR Shelby
Verified Bullitt Highland Green original
California Special
4-speed manual
Fastback
↓ Decreases Value
Clone Bullitt without documentation
Clone CJ engine
Structural rust
Non-matching drivetrain
Restoration Overview
Difficulty
Medium
Parts Availability
Excellent
Driver Quality Cost
$12,000 – $28,000
Show Quality Cost
$40,000 – $100,000
Key Suppliers
National Parts Depot (NPD) · CJ Pony Parts · Virginia Classic Mustang · Mustangs Unlimited
Pop Culture & Legacy
Bullitt (1968) — Steve McQueen in Highland Green fastback. Most famous car chase in film history.
Original Bullitt car sold at auction January 2020 for $3.74 million
John Wick franchise features 1968 Mustang
428 Cobra Jet dominated NHRA Stock Eliminator in 1968
Other Ford Mustang Years